DAY 231

13.08.2017; Tripolis - Tal Hmayreh, Lebanon. The day before the CMFA was stopped on the road by the security forces of Lebanon. We were forced from marching any further north. But we were not prohibited to go there by cars. So, after overnight in Tripolis, the group reached the border area by buses. Thanks to cooperation of of two NGOs - Lebanese "Malaak" and Italian "Operazione Colomba" we were able to reach unoffiicial Syrian refugee camp in Tel Abbas and Malaak educational center nearby. One of the purposes of the CMFA was to meet as many Syrians as possible on the way; meet, share, talk. We have received such a warm welcome in the Tal Hmayreh camp: official welcome party, extraordinary dinner, ability to discuss. It wouldnt be possible without help of Asma from "Malaak" and Alex from "Operazione Colomba" - many thanks for both! That was the last but one day before the end of the march.

The group leaving from Rabee's place in Tripolis, to Akkar, near the Syrian border. "Habibi" and "Habibti" cars were no longer with the march in Lebanon; instead we got a lot of logistics support from Anthony and Serene, as well later we used a small
rented car.

We turn and drive past a road leading to a Syrian informal settlement in Akkar. It cannot be officially referred to as a refugee camp; because the Lebanese government does not officially acknowledge Syrian refugees; who under international law would have rights. Ther Geneve convention is not applicable here. This region is dense with refugees and was economically underdeveloped; even long ago before they arrived.

During most of the days Anna (Poland), the founder of the CMFA, was on the march, she was followed by the camera. Polish video journalist Marek taking a shoot on the way to the Malaak center, in Akkar, Lebanon.

Alexander and Simone from "Operazione Colomba" (Operation Dove). Operazione Colomba is the Nonviolent Peace Corps of the Association Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII. It was born in 1992 thanks to the wish of some volunteers and conscientious objectors to effectively experience a nonviolence approach in conflict areas. /O.C.
Thanks to Alexander and Simone we had the opportnity to visit the camp in Tal Hmayreh and go to the border with Syria.

Hanadi (Lebanon) and Anna (Poland) presenting a bottle with letters to the Syrians, that were collected on the way of the Civil March for Aleppo. There were some other artifacts intended to be delivered to very Aleppo (or as far as the march could go) but they were either lost (big notebook) or taken by those who left the march earlier (huge Aleppo clown flag).

A Portugeese teacher Luis Garcia (president's Assad supporter, introdeced himself as well oriented in Syria issue) questioning the purpose of the CMFA. The march has heard some serious accusations from his side but eventually both sides failed to have a meanignful discussion. He claimed that due to lack of the will to talk from CMFA members. The discussion clashed with the plan of the visit and it was clear that the discussion would be fierce and long. After the march the man and his facebook friends kept criticising the initiative with hateful comments. Garcia promissed to pubish a full report about CMFA soon.

Malika (France) giving a white teddybear named "Zofia". This toy was a present from children in Zgierz (Poland). Finally, after 3000 km spent in a backpack, Zofia found a new owner, a Syrian girl, daughter of our host in the Tal Hmayreh Syrian refugees settlement.